Rebecca Willett from Boost Juice Bars has been named the 2009 NRA Young Retailer of the Year, with Daisy Youhanna of SABA as the runner up.
Willett has worked for Boost Juice Bars for around six years and at the age of 24 has worked her way up to be a national operations trainer. Willett started her career with Boost as a team member at the Swanston Street and Southgate stores and now travels Australia and New Zealand training franchisees, master franchisees and new business managers.
“All entries were of an extremely high calibre which is a testament to the participating young retailer organisations that provide an excellent base and support network for the development of young people in the retail industry,” said National Retail Association (NRA)’s executive director, Gary Black.
Now in its 36th year, the Young Retailer of the Year Competition was developed as a way of recognising and rewarding excellence amongst young retailers under the age of 25. The competition gives young retailers the chance to exhibit their retailing skills and have those recognised not only by their peers but by the wider community.
Of 80 entries submitted by young retailers throughout Australia 13 finalists were chosen to attend the 2009 NRA Young Retailer of the Year luncheon, where young retailers delivered a presentation based on their career thus far within the retail industry and a store improvement plan to further develop their store.
The judging process consisted of a written submission containing a career overview and explanation of their store improvement plan and an in depth interview with the judging panel made up of retail industry experts.
The 2009 NRA Young Retailer of the Year awards were held on Thursday 23 July at the Four Points Sheraton, Sydney.